Saturday, March 18, 2017

Bunny Pinata

My daughter decided she wanted a bunny party for her birthday, and we have a tradition of having a pinata for birthdays, so I got to work making the pinata.

I started out with a small bunny pattern that I enlarged on a copier to the size that I wanted the pinata to be.

Then I traced the pattern twice on a heavy piece of cardboard and cut out the cardboard patterns.

Then cut some 3 inch strips of cardboard that will be used to go around the pattern

Next, I glued the cardboard strips around the outside of the pattern, leaving a 2 - 3 inch gap in the perimeter so you have a place to put in the candy!

Use part of one of the cardboard strips to make a circle, triangle, or whatever shape you want. You are going to glue this in the middle of the inside of the cardboard shape. This makes the pinata sturdy, so when you add the wet paper mache, the pinata will not become concave when it drys.

Now it is time to mix the paper mache paste.

This is what you will need:
Flour
Water
Cinnamon (optional)

Mix the water and flour together in a 2 to 1 ratio. For example, mix 1 cup flour with 2 cups water. I use warm water because I like it better. I also add a little bit of cinnamon to the mix. I do not like the smell of the water and flour mix - cinnamon makes is so much more pleasant!
I use my cheap project mixer to mix the lumps out.

Now for the fun part - goooooooey paper mache.

First take some newspaper and rip it into 2 - 3 inch strips.

Next, dip the newspaper strips in the paste and run it through your fingers to get most of the excess paste off.

Then lay the paper strips on the pinata.

I usually do 2 to 3 layers of newspaper and then add another layer of paper that is the same color you want the pinata.

Then, paint the pinata. (This happens to be a hello kitty pinata I made)

Next, cut 3/4 inch slits about 1/2 inch apart on a streamer. Then, wrap the streamer around the pinata and glue it down.

Thank you for sharing your process of how to form a bunny-shaped pinata. So cute! Pinned! PS I found you via the Create Link Inspire link party. I recently started a link party of my own, I'd love it if you stopped by and shared with us, too! Have a great week! http://www.mybusybeehives.com/2017/03/spring-at-bee-party-6.html